In his regularly featured column, consultant Brian Lawrence reviews the findings of a number of researchers on the constituents in various essential oils. This month, he highlights two oils: cinnamon bark oil and extract, and helichrysum oil.

Mallavarapu and Rajeswara Rao (2007) compared the composition of cinnamon bark oils produced in Bangalore and Mysore (Karnataka, India). A summary of their results is included in the article. In addition, trace amounts (< 0.05%) of cuminaldehyde, bornyl acetate, β-elemene, γ-cadinene, δ-cadinene, cis-calamenene, elemol, safrole and 2-phenethyl benzoate were found in one or both of the oils. For this complete review, including the discussion on helichrysum oil, purchase the article.